Well tools



y 1963 s. J. GRAVES 3,088,521

WELL TOOLS Filed April 7, 1960 J l? I; 3: HQ. 2 [J F i g U #5 F19. 4 Z; y INVENTOR ORNE United States Patent 3,088,521 WELL TOOLS Shelby J. Graves, Irving, Tcx., assignor to Otis Engineering Corporation, Dallas, Tex., a corporation of Delaware Filed Apr. 7, 1960, Ser. No. 20,606 8 Claims. (Cl. 166-214) This invention relates to well tools and more particularly to a latch for securing well tools to one another.

An object of this invention is to provide a new and improved well tool for securing well tools to one another.

Another object is to provide a latch operable by a flexible line means for releasably securing one well tool to another.

Still another object is to provide a latch for releasably securing a first member in a bore of a second member.

A further object is to provide a latch for releasably securing a first member to a second member which latch is actuable to release the first member from the second member only upon the exertion of a positive external force on the latch whereby accidental release of the latch means is precluded.

A still further object is to provide a latch which is of simple construction having a minimum of parts and having a simple mode of operation.

A still further object is to provide a new and improved latch for releasably securing a well tool in a bore or pocket of a well flow conductor wherein the bore is provided with a lateral recess and wherein the latch is provided with a laterally movable latch pin movable into a latching position in the recess of the bore and positively locked in such extended latching position against movement toward retracted position.

Another object is to provide a new and improved latch for securing one member to another wherein the latch is operable by downward and upward forces applied to the latch means through a flexible line.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved latch having a laterally movable latch pin biased outwardly toward extended latching position and a longitudinally movable plunger engageable with the latch pin for locking the latch pin in extended latching position.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent from the reading of the following description of a device constructed in accordance with the invention, and reference to the accompanying drawings thereof, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the latch embodying the invention releasably securing a well tool in an oflset bore or pocket of a well conductor;

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 showing the locking plunger moved to an inoperative position and the latch pin in retracted position;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIGURE 1; and,

FIGURE 4 is a vertical, partly sectional view showing the latch in a modified form of the offset bore or pocket of a well flow conductor.

Referring now to the drawings, the latch embodying the invention is shown disposed in the landing nipple 11 of a well flow conductor and releasably securing a well device, such as a valve 12, in an offset pocket or bore 14 of the landing nipple 11. The valve 12 may be the Otis type F gas lift valve illustrated on page 3968 of the Composite Catalog of Oil Field Equipment and Services, 1959 edition, and is employed to control the admission of gas into the landing nipple 11 in the manner disclosed in the patent to Bryan, No. 2,828,698. The landing nipple 11 is provided adjacent the upper end of the offset bore or 3,088,521 Patented May 7, 1963 Al pocket with an internal annular latch recess 16 having upper and lower inwardly divergent shoulders 17 and 18, respectively.

The latch 10 includes a tubular body 20 having a longitudinal bore 21 whose lower end portion is enlarged and threaded, as at 22, to receive the threaded pin 23 of the valve 12 whereby the valve may be secured to the latch means. The body has an intermediate external annular flange 25 providing a downwardly facing annular shoulder 26 adapted to engage the upwardly facing shoulder 27 at the upper end of the landing nipple offset pocket to limit downward movement of the latch body into the bore or pocket 14. The upper end of the latch body is provided with an external annular flange 28 having a downwardly facing undercut shoulder 29 engageable by a suitable running tool, such as the Otis type R pulling tool illustrated in FIGURE 67 on page 4159 of the Composite Catalog of Oil Field Equipment and Services, 1957-58 edition.

The latch body is provided with a pair of longitudinal slots 32 between the flanges 25 and 28 in which are slidably receivable opposite end portions of a pin 34 of a lock member or plunger 35 slidably disposed in the bore 21 of the latch body. The engagement of the pin 34 in the longitudinal slots 32 of the latch body limits longitudinal movement of the plunger in the latch body.

The plunger is biased upwardly to the locking position illustrated in FIGURE 1 by a spring 36 disposed about the reduced portion 37 of the lock plunger and in the enlarged upper portion of the bore 21 of the latch body. The upper end of the spring bears against the downwardly facing annular shoulder 39 of the lock plunger and its lower end bears against the upwardly facing annular shoulder 40 of the tubular latch body. The lock plunger extends through the bore 42 of the latch pin 43 slidably disposed in a lateral bore 44 of the latch body which intersects its longitudinal bore 21. The latch pin is biased laterally outwardly by a spring 46, also disposed in the bore 44, whose opposite ends bear against wall 47 defining the inner end of the lateral bore and the inner end 50 of the latch pin.

The plunger is provided with an annular groove 51 moved into alignment with the latch pin when the lock plunger is moved to the lower position in the latch body illustrated in FIGURE 2 to permit the latch pin to move laterally inwardly from the extended position or latching position illustrated in FIGURE 1 to the inoperative retracted position illustrated in FIGURE 2. The outer surface of the lower portion 52 of the plunger below the groove 51 is receivable in the bore 42 of the lock latch pin when the latch pin is in its extended latching position to lock the latch pin in such latching position.

The outer end of the latch pin is provided with a curved cam surface 55 which tends to cam the latch pin towards its retracted position upon engagement of the cam surface with downwardly or upwardly facing obstructions during its passage into or out of the pocket or bore 14.

The upper end of the lock plunger has an external annular flange 58 which provides a downwardly facing annular shoulder 59 engageable with shoulder 28 of the latch body to limit movement of the lock plunger into the bore of the latch body.

The flange 58 is provided with external oppositely and outwardly facing grooves 61 in which are receivable the shear pins of a suitable running tool, such as the Otis type I running tool illustrated on page 4158 of the Composite Catalog of Oil Field Equipment and Services, 1957- 1958 edition, whereby the latch tool and any tool which is secured to it, such as the valve 12, may be lowered into a well.

In use, when it is desired to lower a well tool, such as the valve '12, through a well flow conductor of which the mandrel 11 constitutes a section and position it in the offset bore or pocket 14 thereof and then latch it against longitudinal movement in such bore, the valve 12 is connected to the lower end of the tubular latch body 20 of the latch by means of its threaded pin 23 and the upper end of the plunger of the lock plunger 35 is releasably secured to a running tool, such as the Otis type I running tool referred to above, by means of a pair of shear pins which extend tangentially through the grooves 61 of the flange 58 at the upper end of the lock plunger. The running tool in turn is connected to the flexible line by means of the usual flexible line equipment which may include stems, jars and a kickover tool. The lock plunger of course is in its upper position relative to the tubular latch body 10, being biased to this position by the spring 36. The latch pin is in its extended position and the lower lock portion 52 of the plunger holds it locked in such extended locking position. The entire assembly is then lowered through the well flow conductor 'by means of the flexible line until the valve and the latch enter into the landing nipple 11 above the offset bore 14 thereof whereupon the kickover tool moves the valve and the latch laterally to position the lower end of the valve over the upper end of the bore 14. Further downward movement of the valve then causes it to enter into the offset bore or pocket 14. When the valve enters completely into the pocket 14, the lower end of the latch enters into the otfset bore or pocket 14 until the rounded outer end 55 of the projecting latch pin 43 engages the downwardly and inwardly beveled cam shoulder 27 of the landing nipple. The engagement of the outer end of the pin 43 with the upwardly facing shoulder 27 of the mandrel now stops further downward movement of the valve and of the tubular latch body 10 since the lower lock portion 52 of the lock plunger is disposed in the bore 42 of the latch pin and prevents its movement from extended position towards retracted position in the lateral bore 44 of the tubular body. The lock plunger 35 is then jarred downwardly by means of the flexible line equipment, against the resistance of the spring 36, to cause its external groove 51 to be aligned with the aperture 42 of the latch pin 43 which is thus freed for inward movement toward retracted position. The downward jars then cause the latch body to move further downwardly in the bore 14 until the latch pin is aligned with the annular latch recess 16 of the landing nipple whereupon the latch pin moves outwardly to its extending latching position since it is biased outwardly by a spring 46. Should the downward jars be of such force as to cause the latch pin 43 to move back to retracted position due to the engagement of its rounded cam surface 55 with the lower upwardly facing annular cam shoulder 18 of the landing nipple, downward movement of the latch body is then limited by the engagement of the downwardly facing shoulder 26 of the intermediate flange 25 of the latch body with the upwardly facing shoulder 27 of the landing nipple. The latch in this case is then moved upwardly after its downward movement has stopped due to the engagement of the shoulders 26 and 27, until the latch pin is again in alignment with the annular latch recess and the latch pin has again moved to its extended latching position.

When the pin is aligned with the latch recess and projects thereinto, the lock plunger 35 moves upwardly to position its lower lock portion 52 within the bore 42 of the latch pin to lock it against movement from extended latching position toward retracted position so that upward jars now imparted through the flexible line to the plunger 35 cause the shear pins which connect the running tool to the plunger to shear since upward movement of the plunger relative to the latch body is limited by the engagement of the pin 34 with the upper ends of the slots 32 of the latch body. The running tool is thus freed from the latch 10 and is removed upwardly through the well How conductor leaving the latch and the valve in the positions illustrated in FIGURE 1 wherein the latch pin is in its extended latching position with its outer end received in the latch recess 16 and the plunger in its upper looking position wherein it is held by the action of the spring 36 so that the lower locking portion 52 of the lock plunger is in the bore or aperture 42 of the latch pin and prevents its movement toward retracted position. The engagement of the outer end of the latch pin with the shoulders 17 and 18 of the landing nipple now prevents movement of the latch tool, and therefore of the valve, either further into or out of the bore 14 of the landing nipple.

When it is desired to remove the latch tool and the valve 12 from the bore 14 of the landing nipple, a suitable pulling tool, such as the Otis type R pulling tool illustrated in FIGURE 67, page 4159 of the Composite Catalog of Oil Field Equipment and Services, l95758 edition, is secured to a wire line by means of the usual stems, jars or other conventional flexible line equipment, which may include a kickover tool. The assembly is then lowered into the well flow conductor until the core of the pulling tool engages the upwardly projecting upper end of the lock plunger and forces the plunger downwardly relative to the tubular latch body to position the external annular groove 51 of the lock plunger in alignment with the bore 42 of the pin 43 and at the same time cause the hooks of the pulling tool to engage the undercut shoulder 29 of the flange 28 at the upper end of the latch body 20. The latch pin 43 is now free to move inwardly towards retracted position so that an upward pull now exerted on the flexible line causes the hooks of the pulling tool to exert an inwardly diverted force on the pin 43 due to the engagement of its rounded cam surface 55 with the inwardly and upwardly beveled cam shoulder 17 of the landing nipple. The camming action between the rounded outer cam surface 55 of the latch pin and the shoulder 17 now causes the latch pin to be moved to its retracted position freeing the latch 10 and the valve 12 for upward movement and removal from the offset bore 14 of the well flow conductor.

While the latch 10 has been illustrated and described as used to secure a gas lift valve 12 in an offset pocket of a landing nipple, it will be apparent that the latch 10 may be used to secure releasably any other well tools, such as plugs, chokes, other valves and the like, in any bore or passage, whether offset from another bore or not, of a well tool or well flow conductor which has a shoulder engageable by the latch pin to prevent movement of the latch and therefore of the attached tool when the latch pin is in extended latching position.

It will now be seen that a new and improved latch has been illustrated and described which includes a tubular body having a lock plunger mounted therein for longitudinal movement relative thereto and to a latch pin disposed in a lateral bore of the latch body, the plunger being engageable with the latch pin to lock it in extended latching position when the plunger is moved to one extreme longitudinal position relative to the latch body.

It will further be seen that the lock plunger is biased towards such extreme longitudinal or locking position in the body by a spring 36 and that the latch pin is biased toward extended latching position wherein its outer end projects outwardly of the latch body by a spring 46.

It will further be seen that when the lock plunger is moved to an opposite extreme longitudinal position, it frees the latch pin for movement from an extended latching position to a retracted position and that the outer end of the latch pin is provided with the rounded cam surface whereby the latch pin is cammed toward retracted position upon engagement with upwardly or downwardly facing shoulders or obstructions during movement of the latch through a bore.

It will further be seen that since the lock plunger extends through a bore or aperture of the latch pin disposed perpendicularly to the axis of movement of the latch pin between retracted and extended latching position, the

plunger limits lateral movement of the latch pin relative to the latch body both toward retracted and also toward extended positions.

It will further be seen that the latch body is provided with a downwardly facing shoulder 26 which limits downward movement of the latch body through a well bore having an inwardly projecting shoulder and that the pin 34 which extends in the slots 32 and the external flange 58 of the lock plunger limits longitudinal movement of the lock plunger relative to the tubular latch body.

It will further be seen that the latch illustrated and described includes a minimum number of parts and is simple in design and function.

In FIGURE 4 the latch is shown positioned in an offset pocket or bore 14a of a landing nipple 11a whose internal latch groove 16a is so disposed below its upwardly facing shoulder 27a that when the stop shoulder 26 of the tubular body 20 engages the stop shoulder 17a to limit movement of the latch into the oifset pocket 14a, the latch pin is placed in alignment with the latch groove 16a and will move outwardly thereinto.

The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory only, and changes in the details of the construction illustrated may be made by those skilled in the art, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. A latch including: a body having a longitudinal bore and a lateral bore intersecting said longitudinal bore; a latch pin disposed in said lateral bore for movement between an extended latching position wherein an outer end of said latch pin extends outwardly of the body and a. retracted position, said latch pin having a bore extending transversely therethrough intermediate its ends and disposed perpendicularly relative to the axis of said lateral bore; and a plunger movably disposed in said longitudinal bore and extending through said bore of said latch pin, said plunger having a reduced portion movable into registration with said latch pin to permit said latch pin to move in said lateral bore to a retracted position when said plunger is in one position relative to said body, said plunger when in another position in said body engaging said pin .to prevent movement of said latch from latching position to retracted position.

2. A latch including: a body having a longitudinal bore and a lateral bore intersecting said longitudinal bore; a latch pin disposed in said lateral bore for movement between an extended latching position wherein an outer end of said latch pin extends outwardly of the body and a retracted position, said latch pin having a bore extending transversely therethrough intermediate its ends and disposed perpendicularly relative to the axis of said lateral bore; and a plunger movably disposed in said longitudinal bore and extending through said bore of said latch pin, said plunger when in one longitudinal position relative to said .body engaging said pin to prevent movement of said latch pin \from latching position to retracted position, said plunger having an external recess alignable with said bore of said latch pin when said plunger is in another longitudinal position relative to said body Whereby said latch pin is free to move relative to said body and said plunger toward retracted position within said body.

3. A latch including: a body having a longitudinal bore and a lateral bore intersecting said longitudinal bore; a latch pin disposed in said lateral bore for movement between an extended latching position wherein an outer end of said latch pin extends outwardly of the body and a retracted position, said latch pin having a bore extending transversely therethrough intermediate its ends and disposed perpendicularly relative to the axis of said lateral bore; a plunger movably disposed in said longitudinal bore and extending through said bore of said latch pin, said plunger when in one longitudinal position relative to said body engaging said pin to prevent movement of said latch pin from latching position to retracted position, said plunger having an external recess alignable with said bore of said latch pin when said plunger is in another longitudinal position relative to said body whereby said latch pin is free to move relative to said body and said plunger toward retracted position within said body; and means biasing said plunger toward said one longitudinal position.

4. A latch including: a body having a longitudinal bore and a lateral bore intersecting said longitudinal bore; a latch pin disposed in said lateral bore for movement between an extended latching position wherein an outer end of said latch pin extends outwardly of the body and a retracted position, said latch pin having a bore extending transversely therethrou-gh intermediate its ends and disposed perpendicularly relative to the axis of said lateral bore; a plunger movably disposed in said longitudinal bore and extending through said bore of said latch pin, said plunger when in one longitudinal position relative to said body engaging said pin to prevent movement of said latch pin from latching position to retracted position, said plunger having an external recess alignable with said bore of said latch pin when said plunger is in another longitudinal position relative to said body whereby said latch pin is free to move relative to sm'd body and said plunger toward retracted position within said body; means biasing said plunger toward said one longitudinal position; and means biasing said latch pin toward said extended position.

5. A latch for releasably securing tools in a receiver means having spaced opposed stop and lock shoulders therein, said latch including: a body having a pair of bores extending angularly relative to one another and communicating with one another, said body having external stop means engageable with one of said shoulders of said receiver means to limit movement of said body in one direction relative to said receiver means; a latch plunger in one of said bores movable between a retracted position within said one of said bores and an extended position wherein an outer end of said latch plunger extends outwardly of said body and is engageable with the other of said shoulders of said receiver mean-s to limit movement of said body in a direction opposite to said one direction relative to said receiver means; said latch plunger having a bore extending transversely therethrough and disposed in alignment with the other of said bores of said body to \form a continuation thereof when said latch plunger is in extended position; a lock means mounted in the other of said bores and extending through said transverse bore of said latch plunger for movement between two positions relative to said body, said lock means engaging said latch plunger when in one of said two positions to lock said latch plunger in said extended position against movement toward said retracted position; said latch means having a reduced portion thereon movable into alignment with said latch plunger when said latch means is in said other of said positions in said other bore of said body to permit said latch plunger to move inwardly to retracted position out of position to engage said other of said shoulders of said receiver means.

6. A latch for releasably securing tools in a receiver means having spaced opposed stop and lock shoulders therein, said latch including: a body having a pair of bores extending angularly relative to one another and communicating with one another, said body having external stop means engageable with one of said shoulders of said receiver means to limit movement of said body in one direction relative to said receiver means; a latch plunger slidably disposed in one of said bores movable between a retracted position within said one of said bores and an extended position wherein an outer end of said latch plunger extends outwardly of said body and is engageable with the other of said shoulders of said receiver means to limit movement of said body in a direction opposite to said one direction relative to said receiver means; said latch plunger having a transverse bore therethrough intermediate its ends and disposed in alignment with and to be coextensive with said other of said ibores of said body when said latch plunger is in said extended position; a lock means mounted in the other of said bores for movement between two positions relative to said body, said lock means having a portion engaging said latch plunger when in one of said two positions to lock said latch plunger in said extended position against movement toward retracted position, said lock means having a reduced portion movable into alignment with said latch plunger when said lock means is in the other of said two positions permitting movement of said latch plunger from said extended position toward said retracted position.

7. A well tool comprising in combination, a receiver means having spaced opposed stop and lock shoulders therein, and a latch for releasably securing tools in said receiver means, said latch including: a body having a pair of bores extending angularly relative to one another and communicating with one another, said body having external stop means engageable with one of said shoulders of said receiver means to limit movement of said body in one direction relative to said receiver means; a latch plunger slidably disposed in one of said bores movable between a retracted position within said one of said bores and an extended position wherein an outer end of said latch plunger extends outwardly of said body and is engageable with the other of said shoulders of said receiver means to limit movement of said body in a direction opposite to said one direction relative to said receiver means; said latch plunger having a transverse bore therethrough intermediate its ends and disposed in alignment with and to be coextensive with said other of said bores of said body when said latch plunger is in said extended position; a lock means mounted in the other of said bores for movement between two positions relative to said body, said lock means having a portion engaging said latch plunger when in one of said two positions to lock said latch plunger in said extended position against movement toward retracted position, said lock means having a reduced portion movable into alignment with said latch plunger when said lock means is in the other of said two positions permitting movement of said latch means from said extended position toward said retracted position, and means biasing said lock means toward said one position.

8. A latch of the character set forth in claim 6 and including: resilient means biasing said lock means toward said first of said two positions wherein said lock means engages said latch plunger to hold the same in extended position; and means disposed in said one of said bores of said body engageable with said plunger for biasing said plunger outwardly to extended position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,846,014- Daflinet al Aug. 5, 1958 2,871,947 Fredd Feb. 3, 1959 2,887,163 McGowen et al May :19, 1959 2,921,630 Le Bus Jan. 19, 1960 

1. A LATCH INCLUDING: A BODY HAVING A LONGITUDINAL BORE AND A LATERAL BORE INTERSECTING SAID LONGITUDINAL BORE; A LATCH PIN DISPOSED IN SAID LATERAL BORE FOR MOVEMENT BETWEEN AND EXTENDED LATCHING POSITION WHEREIN AN OUTER END OF SAID LATCH PIN EXTENDS OUTWARDLY OF THE BODY AND A RETRACED POSITION, SAID LATCH PIN HAVING A BORE EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY THERETHROUGH INTERMEDIATE ITS ENDS AND DISPOSED PERPENDICULARLY RELATIVE TO THE AXIS OF SAID LATERAL BORE; AND A PLUNGER MOVABLY DISPOSED IN SAID LONGITUDINAL BORE AND EXTENDING THROUGH SAID BORE OF SAID LATCH PIN, SAID PLUNGER HAVING A REDUCED PORTION MOVABLE INTO REGISTRATION WITH SAID LATCH PIN TO PERMIT SAID LATCH PIN TO MOVE IN SAID LATERAL BORE TO A RETRACED POSITION WHEN SAID PLUNGER IS IN ONE POSITION RELATIVE TO SAID BODY SAID PLUNGER WHEN IN ANOTHER POSITION IN SAID BODY ENGAGING SAID PIN TO PREVENT MOVEMENT OF SAID LATCH FROM LATCHING POSITION TO RETRACED POSITION. 